Typewriter carrying case



April 22, 1941- w. A. DoBsoN 2,239,597

'TYPEWRITER CARRYING CASE Filed Dec. 50, 193s INVENTOR BYM//LL /AM A. 0`0/V Patented Apr. 22, 19,41

TYPEWRITER CARRYING CASE William A. Dobson, Wethersfield, Conn., assigner to Underwood- Elliott Fisher. Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Applicata@ December 30, 193s, serial No. 248,505

7 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to carrying cases for typewriters and more particularly to latching devices for such cases.

The invention has for a general object the provision of a latching device for typewriter carrying cases in association with a handle of the case, the latching device being readily releasable to permit opening the case and having the case handle cooperating with the latching device in a manner to forcibly prevent release of same while the typewriter case is supported by its handle, as in transit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latching device capable of functioning bo-th as a releasable latch for the typewriter case and as a means of attaching the case handle to the case, the device being adapted to cooperate with a complemental latch member in locking the openable case members closed and also accommodating a portion of thecarrying handle to hold same in place on the case.

A further object is to provide a latch element which affords a rugged and serviceable structure, presents an attractive ornamental appearance and conceals the effective latching parts from view.

A further object is tov provide an improved arrangement of a cleat or foot member on the carrying case by which to obviate marring of a desk top or wear of the case finish, particularly while setting up thetypewriter for use on a desk.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

' In the drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the carrying case in transit.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the carrying case partly broken away in section to facilitate illustration of the case latching device.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the latching kdevice in released position to permit opening the carrying case.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the latching device in locking position, portions of the latching element being broken away to facilitate illustration.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View through the latch element and case, taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the latching device as viewed from the inside of the carrying case, portions of the case being broken away, and e Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the carrying case coverV only, showing the arrangement of the cleat thereon.

In the embodiment illustrated, the carrying case comprises generally two members, herein constituting a base 1 on which a typewriter, shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, is secured or detachably mounted, and a cover 8 which, being in place on the base l, completely envelopes` the typewriter on all four sides and top. The base 'I is preferably of shallowl form so as not to encumberthe use of the typewriter when the latter is used without removal from the base and has the cover 8 overlapping or telescoping same at the junctural portions. The carrying case members 'I and 8 are swingably and detachably connected at the rear of the case, preferably by means of a pin or stud S carried on the base 1 and projecting outwardly therefrom to engage in an aperture I0 in the adjoining wall of the cover member 8. The stud 9 is preferably in the form of a screw which may also assist in holding the typewriter in position on the base l, the 'screw 9 being installed in a threaded hole in the back plate II of the typewriter, as shown. At least'two of the studs 9 may be provided to form the swingable and separable connection between the base and cover, and the portions of the studs 9 disposed in the apertures I0 may be concealed from view by a.A hollow cleat I2 secured to the back Wall of the cover 8 over each aperture Ill, these cleats I2 serving as rests When the carrying case is placed erect'on a platform.

Preparatory to using the typewriter on the base or to remove the typewriter from the carrying case, the case is -laid at on a table, that is, with the base 1 resting directly on the table and with the cover 8 uppermost. 'I'he cover 8 is removed by lifting same byits front wall I3, the cover hinging on the studs I0 until same is above the base flange, after which the cover may be moved rearwardly to disengage same from the studs Iand thus remove it from the base.

The cover 3 is locked on the baser I for transporting the typewriter, usually by a suitable lock or latch effective at the front wall i3 of the cover to lock this wall and the adjoining flange of the base. 'I'his locking 4or latching is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by providing preferably two protuberances or Studs I4 on the base 1, each arranged for engagement by a hook or latch I5 on the cover 8. The studs I4 project from the base through open slots I6 in the cover Wall I3, the slots being open at the edge of the wall I3 to allow the studs I4 to pass therefrom in opening the carrying case.

Each stud I4 has a head II overlying portions of the slot I6 and above the outer surface of the wall I3.

In the preferred construction, the latch I comprises an inner member I8 forming the structural foundation of the latch, and an outer member or ornamental shell I9 providing an attractive artistic appearance for the latch and also forming a finger hold for moving the latch. The inner member I8 is preferably formed of a metallic strip bent intermediate its ends to provide a loop 2U serving to reinforce the outer shell I9, being secured thereto at suitable adjoining areas, preferably along the medial portion of the loop 28, as by rivets 2I.

The latch I5 is mounted to swing edgewise on the wall I3 near the top wall of the cover 8 and is pivoted thereon, as by a shoulder screw 23V journaled in the wall I3 and threadedly secured to the inner latch member I8. A resilient metallic washer 22 interposed between the head of screw 23 and the wall I3 constitutes a friction device by which unintended swinging of the latch I5 is resisted.

The end of latch I5 opposite the pivot 23 is formed so as to engage and securely hold the base stud I4 to effect the locking of the base and cover together. The corresponding end of the inner member I8 is notched at 23 so that when the latch I5 is swung into locking engagement with the stud I4, the adjacent portions of the notch 23 partially ysurround the stud I4 and engage under the head I'I thereof. It is to be noted also that the end wall of the outer shell I9, in the locking position of the latch I5, partly embraces the stud I4 in such manner as to prevent any substantial movement thereof and thus holds the stud I4 well within the slot I6. The outer shell I9 provides an opening 24 in a side Wall thereof to admit the stud I4 while swinging the latch I 5, it being noted that a portion of the side wall adjoining the opening 24 provides a lip 25, as shown more clearly in Figure 6, which further embraces the stud I4. 'Ilhe lip 25 and the adjoining end wall of the shell I9 thus constitute a hook by which any substantial outward movement of the stud I4 is prevented. The swinging of latch I5 is limited by a guide screw 26 extending from the inner member I8 of the latch through the cover wall I3 and riding in a slot 21 therein, the head of screw 26 overlapping the Walls of the slot to prevent raising of the free end of latch I5 from the cover Wall I3. The latches are, therefore, swingably anchored between their ends to the wall I3.

Itmay be here noted that the latches I5 in latched position with the studs I4 carry the loadof the typewriter on the base 'I practically independently of the cover 8, in that the inner latch member I8 engages under the head II of the stud and thus sustains the load of the typewriter and transmits this load to the supporting handle 30, without subjecting the cover wall I3 to an undue stress and the latch I5 acts as a bridging spanning the cover wall I3. It will also be seen that the guide screw 26 in its association with the cover wall I3 and the latch I5 causes these members to reinforce each other in support of the typewriter load, the screw 26 preventing any excessive raising of the'latch I5 from the cover wall.

As shown in Figure l, two latches I5 are provided, each extending substantially perpendicularly to the base and engaging a corresponding stud I4. `Each of the latches I5 are substantially alike in structure except that one latch is of the opposite hand to that of the other, this arrangement being desired in order that the latches I5, as viewed in Figure 1, are swung in opposite or outward directions to release the respective studs I4, and toward each other to engage the studs. Each latch I5 is formed to accommodate the respective end portions of a flexible bail handle 38, in that each side wall of the outer latch member I9 is cut away to provide a. notch or loop 3I receiving the end portions of the handle 38. As shown more clearly in Figure 4, each end of the handle 30 is formed to provide shoulders 32 overlapping and abutting the outer side wall of the latch I5. A block 33 is secured within the latch I5 adjacent the inner side wall to provide a broad area for engagement by the handle 3D in carrying the case.

As afore indicated, each latch I5 is arranged to swing inwardly toward each other or toward the handle 30 to engage the corresponding stud I4. In transporting the typewriter carrying case by gripping the handle 30, as shown in Figure 1, the resultant tension on the handle imparts a force to each of the latches I5 in a direction opposite to that required to release the latches and thus forcefully prevents release of the latches during transit. 'I'his association of the handle 30 with the latches I5 is also advantageous to prevent the typewriter from accidentally falling from the carrying case under circumstances wherein the latches I5 are disengaged from the studs or only partly engaged therewith. Under these circumstances, the instant the carrying case is lifted by its handle the latches 30 will, as a result, immediately swing into locking engagement with the studs before the carrying case is actually lifted. Furthermore, any movement of either latch I5, as the typewriter case is lifted, will act as a warning that the latching may not be secure.

The mentioned hollow cleats I2 are each secured across the rear end wall of the case cover 8, as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 7, by providing a series of bendable ears 34 extending from the side walls of the cleat I2. The ears 34 each project through a corresponding aperture in the cover wall and are bent over to secure the attachment. It may be here noted that each of the cleats I2, although serving primarily as rests or feet when the case is stood upright, as shown in Figure 2, have a further purpose, namely, to obviate the wear usually at the lower portions of the case, and to prevent marring the desk top, while setting up the typewriter for use on a desk or platform. In so doing, the carrying case is usually placed on the desk in the position shown in Figure 2, and while still grasping the handle 38, the case is swung downwardly to put the base 'I of the case flat on the desk, this being done while the weight of the typewriter and case is supported by the cleats in contact with the desk top. This practice, without the cleat arrangement, formerly caused wear or abrasion to the rear bottom edge of the carrying case or possible damage to the desk top. Also, in raising the cover 8 by handle 30 to remove the cover with the case lying at upon the desk, there would be a risk of marring the desk top resulting from the scraping of the cover lower edge against the desk surface, in that, because of the light, economical construction of the case, this cover edge might be bowed outwardly from the base or be otherwise slightly irregular. To obviate any possibility of damage to the desk top or undue wear of the carrying case, the cleats I2 are each arranged fat the end 35 thereof to .project beyond the edge of the case co`ver and may thus serve as a skid orglider, keeping the adjacent cover edge 01T the desk top while the case is being tilted to flatwise position, or While the case cover is being removed, preparatory to usingthe typewriter. 'I'he end wall 35 of the cleat projects over the edge of the cover Wall in the form of a bendable lug 36 which is bent around or hooked over the free edge of the cover Wall, as shown in Figure 7.

The specic structure of the latches I5 including the ornamental outer shell, as set forth, conceals the effective latching parts from view and so appreciably enhances the artistic character of the typewriter case, and further aifor-ds a desirable feature in not revealing to the casual observer the manner by which the carrying case may be unlocked.

Although it is desirable to have two of the latches l5 arranged to swing in release o r engagement of the studs I4, each latch being forcibly held in latching position by tension on the handle 30 under load of the typewriter, as shown in the preferred embodiment illustrated, it will also be apparent that only one swingable latch d may be so employed, having the handle 30 at one end thereof arranged substantially as set forth to urge the latch toward stud-engaging position, the other end of the handle being held to the carrying case by suitable means as, for example, a loop simulating the other latch.

Although in this application, there is specifically described, one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that same is shown for the purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a typewriter carrying case, a latch adapted for pivotal movement on said case, a part engageable by said latch to lock said case, said latch comprising, an elongate inner member being formed with a loop intermediate its ends and having pivotal mounting means at one end and means at its other end adapted for engagement with said part; and a shell shrouding said inner member and secured to the loop portion of said inner member and providing a finger hold for pivotally moving said latch, said shell including a side wall having a notch adjacent the said loop to provide, together with said loop, a niche for accommodating a carrying handle.

2. In a typewriter carrying case, a latch adapted for pivotal movement on said case, a part engageable by said latch to lock said case, said latch comprising, an elongate inner member being formed with a loop intermediate its ends and having pivotal mounting means at one end and means at its other end adapted for engagement with said part; and a shell shrouding said inner member and secured to it to provide a nger hold for pivotally moving said latch, said shell including a side wall having a notch adjacent the said loop to provide, together wi-th said loop, a niche for accommodating a carrying handle.

3. In a carrying case having a shallow case member constituting a base for a typewriter, and a cover comprising side walls and a top wall; two spaced protuberanceson said base, two elongate latches extending substantially perpendicularly to the said base across one of said side Walls and being individually pivoted iii) thereto near the said top wall, for swinging movement toward each other into latchingl engagement with said protuberances to thereby lock the cover to the said base, and a carrying handle operatively connected to said elongate latches between their ends and adapted to swing them toward each other into latching engagement with said protuberances, under the load of the carrying case.

4. In a carrying case having a shallow case member constituting a base for a typewriter, and a cover comprising side walls and a top wall; two spaced protuberances on said base, two elongate latches extending substantially perpendicularly to the said base across one of said side walls and being individually pivoted thereto near the said top Wall, for swinging movement toward each other into latching engagement with said protuberances to thereby lock the cover to the said base, a carrying handle operatively connected to said elongate latches between theirv ends and adapted to swing them toward each other into latching engagement with said protuberances, under the load of the carrying case, and means to anchor said latches intermediate their ends swingably to the wall on which they are pivoted.

5. In a typewriter carrying case having a case member constituting a base for a typewriter, and a cover comprising side walls and a top wall; two spaced protuberances on said base, two elongate latches extending substantially perpendicularly to the said base, juxtaposed across one of said side walls, and individually pivoted thereupon near the said top wall, for swinging movement toward each other into latching engagement with said protuberances to thereby lock the cover to the said base, said latches having each, intermediate their opposite ends, a transverse clearance adjacent said juxtaposed wall, and a flexible carrying handle extending from one to the other latch and through said clearances and having enlarged opposite ends adapted to engage said latches adjacent said clearances to swing them into latching engagement with the said protuberances, under the load of the carrying case.

6. In a typewriter carrying case having a shallow case member constituting a base for a typewriter, and a cover comprising side Walls and a top wall; two spaced protuberances on said base, two elongate, spaced latches extending substantially perpendicularly to the said base, juxtaposed across one of said side walls, and being individually pivoted thereupon near the said top wall for swinging movement toward each other into latching engagement with said protuberances to thereby lock the cover to the said base, each latch comprising, an uniinished inner member having an intermediate portion oifstanding from the juxtaposed wall and pivotal mounting means near said top wall, and a shrouding shell secured to said inner member to provide a latch operating finger hold, each shell having side walls bordering said inner member which are notched adjacent said'offstanding member portion, and a flexible carrying handle extending oppositely underneath said offstanding portions and said notches and having enlarged opposite anchorage ends adapted to engage said latches to swing them into latching engagement With the said protuberances, under the load of said carrying case.

'7. In a carrying case having a case member, constituting a base for a typewriter, and a cover comprising side walls and a top wall; two spaced latches extending substantially perpendicularly to the said base across one of said side walls and being pivoted individually thereto near the said top wall to swing atwise thereon toward and away from one another, an individual undercut protuberance associated with each latch on said base, said latches having hook formations swingable therewith toward each other to engage the said undercut protuberances, a carryl0 ing handle operatively connected with said latches between their ends and adapted to swing them toward each other under the load of the carrying case, said hook formations being automatically cooperative with said protuberances when the case is carried by said handle to lock said cover onto said base and to transmit the load from said base over said protuberances directly to said latches.

WILLIAM A, DOBSON. 

